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The Blenny darter (Etheostoma blennius) is a species of fish in the family Percidae. E. blennius are a poorly known percid from Alabama and Tennessee that inhabit swift riffles.

Biology
Etheostoma blennius live a maximum of two to three years, grows to a maximum of 69 mm SL (standard length) and are sexually mature at one year. E. blennius are reproductively active throughout March and April. Spawning occurs on gravel riffles with swift current. Mature eggs are orange and translucent. E. blennius is insectivorous, with analyzed gut contents containing Nematocera larvae, more specifically black fly (Simuliidae) and midge (Chironomidae) larvae. Furthermore, significant numbers of mayfly (Ephemeroptera) and caddisfly (Trichoptera) nymphs were found in gut.

Characteristics
Etheostoma blennius have a deep and robust anterior body that tapers to a narrow caudal peduncle. Dorsum olive-brown or tan with 4 bold dark brown to blue-black saddles. Nape and belly fully scaled with breast and cheek naked. Teardrop typically present. Breeding males show an overall orangish hue, with dull red spots in the center of each upper body scale; anal fin has 8 rays and are bluish-black along; caudal and pectoral fins green with 16 rays; dorsal fins reddish-purple with 11-12 rays; oral and nasal areas blue with rest of head green. Two subspecies are know; Etheostoma blennius blennius and Etheostoma blennius sequatchiense. E. b. blennius has unscaled opercle and 42-51 lateral scales, while E. b. sequatchiense has a scaled opercle and 40-44 lateral scales. Integrades between E. b. blennius and E. b. sequatchiense do occur.

Conservation
Boschung and Mayden (2004) recommend Etheostoma blennius for Special Concern status in Alabama due to its limited distribution. Furthermore, much of the area in Alabama where E. blennius occurs is proposed for a number of floodwater-retarding dams and such structures would greatly degrade the remaining habitat where E. blennius occurs.

Distribution
Etheostoma blennius are a native southeastern darter found in Alabama and Tennessee. They are found in small to large tributaries of the Tennessee River drainage, more specifically the Buffalo River, Duck River, Sequatchie River, and White Oak Creek, Tennessee. E. blennius have a more limited distribution in Alabama and are restricted to Tennessee River tributaries within the Tennessee Valley of the Highland Rim. E. b. blennius occurs in Buffalo River, Duck River, and White Oak Creek, Tennessee, while E. b. sequatchiense is limited to Sequatchie River in Tennessee. Integrades occur throughout Alabama and Elk River in Tennessee.

Etymology

 * Etheostoma: etheo means filter or strain, and stoma means mouth.
 * E. b. blennius: resembling a marine blenny
 * E. b. sequatchiense: of the Sequatchie River

Habitat
Etheostoma blennius typical habitat is deep, fast, clear-water riffles with non-compacted gravel substrates containing minimal or no aquatic vegetation.

Systematics
Etheostoma blennius belongs to the subgenus Etheostoma that contains E. blennioides (Greenside darter), E. gutselli (Tuckasegee darter), E. histrio (Harlequin darter), E. inscriptum (Turquoise darter), E. lynceum (Brighteye darter), E. rupestre (Rock darter), E. sellare (Maryland darter), E. swannanoa (Swannanoa darter), E. thalassinum (Seagreen darter), and E. zonale (Banded darter). E. blennius is further nested within the greenside darter group along with Etheostoma blennioides (Greenside darter), E. gutselli (Tuckasegee darter), E. inscriptum (Turquoise darter), E. swannanoa (Swannanoa darter), and E. thalassinum (Seagreen darter). Burr (1979) used 51 morphological characteristics, which indicated that the nearest relative of E. blennius is E. swannanoa (Swannanoa darter) of the E. thalassinum (Seagreen darter) group.